Carseat adjustment strap sensor

Abstract

The present invention discloses a seatbelt strap sensor for automobiles. The seatbelt strap sensor could detachably fasten to a strap of a seatbelt of the automobile. The strap sensor comprises a plurality of LEDs disposed within a housing, and a pressure sensor and a bracket are disposed on the rear surface of the housing. The pressure sensor is positioned against the body of a child and configured to measure the tightness of the strap of a seatbelt. The bracket has capable to tightly hold the strap sensor to the strap of the seatbelt. The LEDs are configured to illuminate different colors for indicating the tightness of the strap based on the output of the pressure sensor. The housing having indications with letters or words and symbols corresponding to the LEDs. It helps users to determine the tightness of the strap and could be adjusted optimally.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A seatbelt strap sensor for attachment to a strap of a seatbelt in an automobile, comprises:
 a housing comprises a front surface and a rear surface; 
 a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the housing, wherein the housing allows the LEDs to project outwards via one or more apertures on the front surface; 
 a bracket mounted on the rear surface of the housing, and 
 a pressure sensor mounted on the surface of the bracket, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure the tightness or tension of the strap of the seatbelt. 
 
     
     
       2. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of LEDs having one or more colors, configured to illuminate any one of the LED color, thereby delivering the information on the tightness or tension of the strap to the user. 
     
     
       3. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the illumination of the LED color is based on the sensor measurement on the tightness or tension of the strap. 
     
     
       4. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of LEDs are an amber, a green and a red color. 
     
     
       5. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket slips under the strap to avoid the slippage of seatbelt strap sensor from the strap of the seatbelt during use. 
     
     
       6. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the seatbelt strap sensor mounted on a chest clamp of the seatbelt, via the bracket. 
     
     
       7. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the housing of the seatbelt strap sensor is injection molded from an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polycarbonate plastic. 
     
     
       8. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is a metal foil stain gauge. 
     
     
       9. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is mounted on the rear side of the sensor, via any one of an adhesive or a fastener. 
     
     
       10. The seatbelt sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a clamp and a clip. 
     
     
       11. A seatbelt strap sensor, comprising:
 a housing comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and 
 a plurality of electronic components, comprises:
 a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the housing, wherein the housing allows the LEDs to project outwards via one or more apertures on the front surface; 
 a pressure sensor mounted on the surface of a bracket mounted on the rear side of the housing, to measure the tightness or tension of the strap of the seatbelt, thereby generating an electrical signal; 
 a microcontroller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the microcontroller processes the electrical signal received from the pressure sensor, thereby generating an output signal, and 
 a LED drive module in communication with the microcontroller, wherein the LED drive module receives the output signal of the microcontroller, thereby controlling the plurality of LEDs. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the output signal of the microcontroller is at least any one of a digital signal or a pulse-width modulation signal. 
     
     
       13. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 11 , further comprises at least one power source disposed within the housing configured to power the plurality of LEDs and one or more electronic components disposed within the housing. 
     
     
       14. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 11 , further comprises a switch for the power source. 
     
     
       15. The seatbelt strap sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the power source is at least any one of a battery, a fuel cell, and a solar cell.